MACAU, December 25, 2024 (Press Release)
The “2024 MGM Macau Tennis Masters” kicked off Christmas Eve with a perfect fusion of sport, culture, and fan interaction as players immersed themselves in the vibrant spirit of Macau ahead of an action-packed day of tennis.
ATP players Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Kei Nishikori, and Juncheng Shang took time off the court in the morning to engage with fans and soak in Macau’s rich cultural heritage. The day began at the historic St. Augustine’s Square, one of Macau’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where the players, together with several local junior players, hosted an impromptu pop-up mini-tennis session. The spontaneous showcase offered a unique and surreal opportunity for Macau residents and visitors to witness their favourite stars up close, playing tennis against the backdrop of the city’s iconic architecture.
Capping off the morning’s cultural immersion, Rublev, Ruud, Nishikori, and Shang joined in the festivities of a traditional lion dance performance. Held in honour of Macau’s vibrant festive season and the 25th anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau SAR, the lion dance brought together players and fans in celebration of the city’s lively traditions.
“It was great to experience the lion dance here in Macau. The kids did an amazing job. Macau is such a beautiful city, and St. Augustine’s Square is a very cultural and historic place. I really liked the colours and architecture,” said Nishikori.
The day’s tennis action kicked off with the Captains Challenge, where team captains Li Na and Michael Chang, joined by two players from each of their teams and a special young guest, took on the challenge of hitting ten small festive targets with their forehand and backhand shots—all within 90 seconds. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as each player took their turn, but it was Jerry Shang who stole the show, demonstrating pinpoint accuracy by hitting three of the targets. His performance made him the only player to hit any target, securing a one-point head start for Team Li Na.
All of the day’s tennis matches were highly entertaining, as players and captains alike embraced the relaxed, interactive format of the tournament, delivering a fun and creative show for the fans.
In the opening match, Casper Ruud staged a thrilling comeback, overturning a one-set deficit to defeat Kei Nishikori 4-6, 6-3, 10-7. The match featured some amusing highlights, including a cheeky underhand serve from Ruud, Wang Xinyu stepping in as a ball girl for her teammate, and even captain Michael Chang coming onto the court to catch and toss back a tennis ball on behalf of Nishikori during a key tiebreak point.
“We wanted to give Macau fans some exciting points and great entertainment. Kei and I definitely had fun on the court, and I was also working on my serve, which I think went well, so that was a bonus,” said Ruud of the match.
“I grew up watching Li Na win Roland Garros and the Australian Open, so it’s incredible to be around her now and learn from her. I’m really enjoying my team, too. I have three Chinese teammates, so I’m trying to learn a few Chinese words,” the Norwegian joked.
The second men’s singles match proved to be just as captivating, with Andrey Rublev clinching victory over Jerry Shang 6-3, 6-4. The final game was particularly entertaining, especially when Shang jokingly predicted on court that Rublev would choke in the next game. For a moment, it seemed his words might come true, as Rublev narrowly missed a couple of match points. However, despite Shang’s spirited defence in saving five match points during the thrilling finale, Rublev ultimately prevailed to secure the first win for Team Michael Chang.
“It was definitely a lot of match points at the end!” Rublev said with a smile. “Both of us hit some great winners, and we had some amazing rallies. It was fun to play in an exciting atmosphere.”
The closing mixed doubles match saw Rublev team up with Karolina Muchova to defeat Shang and Wang Xinyu 6-4, 6-3. The back-and-forth encounter delivered plenty of exhilarating rallies and spectacular points, accompanied by on-court laughs and playful banter that perfectly captured the team spirit of this unique event.
With one point awarded for the Captains Challenge winner and two points for each match played today, the mixed doubles win sealed a remarkable comeback for Team Michael Chang. After trailing 0-3 earlier in the day, Chang’s team ended Christmas Eve with a 4-3 lead.
“I was a little bit nervous after we got bageled in the Captain’s Challenge and lost the first match, but we came back strong today. Karolina and Andrey played unbelievable, so hopefully it will continue tomorrow,” said Chang.
Not one to back down, Li Na responded with a dose of humour and determination: “Today is just the preparation. Tomorrow is the real thing.”
Christmas Day promises to deliver even more dramatic entertainment, with three points up for grabs in each of the final three matches. The day begins with Wang facing Muchova, followed by Ruud taking on Rublev and concluding with Nishikori going head-to-head against Shang.
Tickets are available through www.MGM.mo